Brenna Mendez, an Attleboro resident and student of The Literacy Center (TLC), recently celebrated the realization of a long-held dream: opening her own restaurant.
La Bendición, located at 147 Pine St. in Attleboro, offers authentic flavors of Guatemala and “is a testament to Mendez’s perseverance, passion for cooking, and the transformative impact of education,” according to a release.
Since arriving in the United States 11 years ago, Mendez has always dreamed of opening a restaurant that could serve the traditional dishes of her homeland. However, overcoming the obstacle of learning English was one of the biggest challenges she faced.
“I’ve always loved cooking, but difficulty with English caused my plans to be delayed. But I never gave up on my dream,” she said.
Throughout her journey, support from TLC helped her acquire the skills to achieve her goals. TLC, with its free English classes and support for adults in need of academic, career, and community support, was life-changing for Mendez.
“The Literacy Center was fundamental in my journey. It was through the classes and improving my communication in English that I felt more confident to start my own restaurant,” she shared.
In addition to fulfilling her own dream, Mendez also used her experience to help others through employment. Her classmate from TLC, Heydi Vasquez, now works at La Bendición, contributing to the restaurant’s success.
“Thanks to TLC, I not only achieved my dream but also had the opportunity to help Heydi, who showed great potential and dedication,” Mendez said. “By supporting my peers, I was able to contribute to their achievements and successes as well.”
Now, with the La Bendición — which means “The Blessing” — restaurant open on Pine Street, Mendez shares the flavors of Guatemala with the local community. To celebrate this achievement, she named one of the restaurant’s menu items “La Bendición.” She said the dish is inspired by the cherished memories of meals served by her family in Guatemala. The dish is a mix of marinated pork, grilled chicken breast, and beef, served with salad, beans, pico de gallo, and a choice of rice.
To manage the restaurant, Brenna relies on the help of her husband, Nery Mendez, and has already hired three employees who contribute to meeting the demand. She plans to expand the business, hire more staff, and continue improving her English.
“I hope the restaurant continues to grow, serving everyone who appreciates our food and sharing experiences,” Mendez said.
The Literacy Center is a nonprofit organization that has served the educational needs of greater Attleboro for 37 years. To be a part of its life-changing mission, please make a donation at www.theliteracycenter.com.
